Working Out While Sick – Healthy or Not

It’s winter (not that you need the reminder) which leaves us susceptible to being/getting sick. However, if you’ve made a commitment to having physical activity be a part of your life you may be wondering what to do when you come down with a cold. Luckily, you can work out while sick just so long as you exercise within your comfort limits.

Keep reading to find out five health insights to working out while sick.

1. Don’t fight the flu

Skip the gym when sick with the flu. The flu isn’t the common cold, in fact, working out while sick with the flu can weaken your body even more. Intense workouts can even make fighting off the flu and other infections even more difficult to do. In this case, your best bet is to rest until you feel better that way your body has time to recover meaning you can get back to the gym sooner rather than later.

2. What are the risks?

As said before, if you have a severe illness such as the flu or a lung infection skip the gym it can get worse if you continue to push yourself. When you do opt to workout under these types of conditions you could be putting yourself at a greater risk of heart inflammation and arrhythmia which may lead to cardiac arrest.

3. Do the neck check

If all your symptoms are above the neck such as a runny nose, nasal congestion, or a sore throat feel free to get a quick workout in. Below the neck symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, or muscle aches are signs that your body is too weak to exercise and needs rest to fully recover.

4.Can’t Skip it

If you can’t bring yourself to stop your routine go easy, low-intensity workouts will be your friend in this case. Walking or biking as while as keeping your pace at a level where you can still talk to someone will be the best workout plan for you when sick.

5. Don’t Spread it

Working out might be the time you take for yourself, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect the health of others. If you still decide to workout make sure to follow these hygiene tips to keep other gym goers healthy.

-Wash your hands before and after your workouts

-Clean equipment!!

-Use hand sanitizer frequently

When you start to make working out a habit it can be hard to stop even when you’re sick. Being aware of how sick you are and your chances of spreading that onto others are all factors that should influence your decision towards working out. At the end of the day it’s up to you, but make sure you give your body the rest and recovery it needs to properly heal and fight off the sickness or infections ailing you.